MADISON – Seven students at Discovery Middle School received awards in the 2017 State Junior Achievement American Citizen Competition.

The 2017 theme was “Our National Parks: 100 Years of Service to America.” Art students designed postal stamps using the theme and wrote creative expressions in the short story and poetry categories, according to Discovery art teacher Raquel Spiegel said.

Eighth-grader Julianna Taylor was the first-place winner in the poetry division. Emma Hardy, who is in eighth grade, received first place among the short story submissions. Another eighth-grader, Susan Xiao earned first-place honors for stamp design.

Several Discovery seventh-graders also received several Junior Achievement awards. Katy Uptain was the first-place winner for poetry. Kaylee Simon submitted a short story that earned first place in the competition. For her poetry work, Sara Beth Chaney claimed the first place award among seventh-graders in the contest.

For her design in the stamp design category, Danica Vu took third place among the rest of her competitors.

These students will receive certificates and monetary awards during Awards Day at Discovery.

At the end of this school year, these art students will be saying goodbye to their teacher, Raquel Spiegel, who is retiring after 44 years in education. Spiegel teaches visual arts at Discovery with classes in sculpture and mixed media. She also sponsors Art Club.

“I’m so honored to work with such awesome young artists,” Spiegel said. “My students have been recognized in numerous competitions at district, state and national levels.”

Junior Achievement assists students recognize that their education will prepare them for a promising career and home life. Programs offered by Junior Achievement are one-of-a-kind, volunteer-led initiatives that strive to show all of the options that today’s youth can consider and eventually pursue.